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Freesia (Freesia spp.) is a genus of about 15 species in the Iridaceae family that originate in southern Africa. Freesias are well known for their long stems, trumpet-shaped flowers and the fragrance of their blossoms. These flowers are a springtime favorite for many gardeners and are generally used as cut flowers in bouquets. Freesias thrive in full sun or partial shade and are hardy to U.S. Department of Agriculture zones 9 through 12. Deadheading the flower heads extends the blooming season and life of the plant.

1

Check the freesia plant daily for dead or wilting blossoms.

2

Cut the flower bloom from the stem with bypass pruners or pinch the flower bloom from the stem with your thumb and forefinger just below the flower bloom head. Remove the flower blooms as they start to wilt and die, but be sure to remove them before they set seed. This will encourage the plant to continue blooming.

3

Monitor the plants throughout the blooming period and repeat the deadheading process as additional blossoms fade.

4

Cut the remaining flower stem stalks from the freesia plant with pruning shears once the stems have dried and started to wilt. Cut the stalks at the base where they originate from the main stem.

5

Discard the dead blossoms and stems in a compost pile or drop them in the flower bed where they will eventually decompose. While disposing of them around the plants in the flower bed is completely acceptable, an abundance of dead flower blossoms can detract from the beauty of the blooming plants.

Things You Will Need

Bypass pruners

Tip

You can also dry out the deadheaded flower blossoms and use them to create your own potpourri satchet. Fill a nylon netting sack or even an old pair of pantyhose with the flowers and hang it in a closet to enjoy the fragrance.

About the Author

A former cake decorator and competitive horticulturist, Amelia Allonsy is most at home in the kitchen or with her hands in the dirt. She received her Bachelor's degree from West Virginia University. Her work has been published in the San Francisco Chronicle and on other websites.